Gang Crime and Exploitation
On this page you will find information on: Serious youth violence, child criminal Exploitation (CCE), Cuckooing, county lines and Child sexual exploitation (CSE). For up to date information and to seek support please follow the links provided in the support area below.
Report any concerns at:
- Three Rivers District Council: 01923 776611
- Police: 101 (non emergency)
- Crimestoppers: 0800 555 111
- Fearless provides young people with non-judgemental information and advice about crime and criminality
In an emergency call 999
Serious Youth Violence Campaign
The Youth Council from YC Hertfordshire has produced a campaign film for Three Rivers Community Safety Partnership to raise awareness of Serious Youth Violence & Exploitation, and highlights where people can find support.
Child Criminal Exploitation (CCE)
CCE is a form of abuse towards children, where a young person is coerced and exploited into criminal activities. This could be as part of a perceived friendship or relationship in return for attention, affection, friendship, status, money, drugs, alcohol or somewhere to stay.
Young people may be groomed by an adult or another child, known as the hook. The abuser will often have some power over the victim, such as age, maturity, security, physical strength or being able to control the young person through threats. This can tie into other issues mentioned below, such as Child Sexual Exploitation, County Lines or Cuckooing.
This type of abuse can happen to any young person from any background. The signs to look out for are:
- Going missing from home/care or school
- Relationships or associating with older people or gang members
- Excessive receipt of texts or calls
- Leaving home/care without explanation
- Suspicion of self harm, physical assault or other unexplained injuries
- Changes in emotional wellbeing
- Decline in educational performance/engagement
- Evidence of drug or alcohol use
- Unexplained increase of money, clothes or mobile phones.
Cuckooing
Cuckooing is the term used to describe the actions of people who take over the homes of vulnerable people in order to use and deal drugs. The people taking over homes can be local, or urban gangs who travel to suburban areas to establish a base for dealing drugs. As a result of these activities, those being “cuckooed” can suffer from abuse and exploitation.
Like other forms of abuse and exploitation, cuckooing:
- can affect any vulnerable adult over the age of 18 years; vulnerable can include those who are isolated, have a physical disability, learning difficulties, drug or alcohol misusers, those living in poverty or mental health needs.
- can still be exploited even if the activity appears consensual;
- can involve force and/or enticement-based methods of compliance and is often accompanied by violence or threats of violence;
- can be done by individuals or groups, males or females, and young people or adults;
- involves some form of power imbalance in favour of those doing the exploitation; and
- can affect any child or young person (male or female) under the age of 18 years being used as drug runners.
County Lines
County Lines is the police term for urban gangs supplying drugs to suburban areas. It involves child criminal exploitation as gangs use children and vulnerable people to move drugs and money. Gangs establish a base in the market location, typically by taking over the homes of local vulnerable adults by force or coercion in a practice referred to as cuckooing.
County lines is a major, cross-cutting issue involving drugs, violence, gangs, safeguarding issues, criminal and sexual exploitation, modern slavery and missing persons.
One of the key factors found in most cases of county lines exploitation is the presence of some form of exchange (e.g. carrying drugs in return for something). Where it is the victim who is offered, promised or given something they need or want, the exchange can include both tangible (such as money, drugs or clothes) and intangible rewards (such as status, protection or perceived friendship or affection).
It is important to remember the unequal power dynamic within which this exchange occurs and to remember that the receipt of something by a young person or vulnerable adult does not make them any less of a victim. It is also important to note that the prevention of something negative can also fulfil the requirement for exchange, for example a young person who engages in county lines activity to stop someone carrying out a threat to harm his/her family.
The Three Rivers Community Safety Partnership is dedicated to supporting our residents and protecting them from exploitation. We encourage people to tell us when they have any suspicions or concerns about one of their neighbours, family members or friends being “cuckooed” or recruited by gangs.
The information you provide can remain anonymous. You have the power to speak up for those who need protecting.
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